Franciscan Sisters Of The Eucharist

[TeresaBenedicta]

Wow, what an avvwesome visit!

The sisters (there's nine of them total), live on five beautiful acres just off the Columbia River! The place used to be owned by rich people as a summer house, used for summer parties and a lot of entertaining. The grounds are simply... [i]wow[/i]!! There's a front courtyard with a large pond, gardens galore, a short trail up to a WATERFALL (!!!!), a cemetery, and a miniature animal farm. And the house is beautiful, too!!

I had a great time with Sister. We walked around the grounds, sat inside for tea... and talked, talked, talked!

Prayer for Sister, if you think of it. She was in a car accident last October and lost vision in her eye. They're still trying to save it and fix the vision, but they keep delaying the surgery. Which means that she can't do much yet. She can't teach or drive. And she can't read or do computer work for more than 15 minutes at a time. It's tough.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

The pillbox veil isn't my favorite, either--many veils are "prettier." But, in the end, aren't religious Sisters supposed to be unconcerned with their appearance?

I've made jokes sometimes about how I could never be a Franciscan because I look terrible in brown. But, how a Sister looks in her habit should be beside the point. I would hope that any Community would discourage any discerner who loved a Community ONLY because she loved the habit. It's fun to look at various habits, but in the end, it's the life, the dedicating of oneself to God that should matter. I don't know how many Communities still don't have mirrors (and I suspect that even those Communities that have mirrors don't have very many of them).

To the credit of the posters on VS that I've known, even if we've found it fun sometimes to talk about or compare various habits and veils, I've never come across a VS member who entered a Community solely or even mostly because of the habit and/or veil.

Personally, if I were called to a Community with a pillbox veil (as anyone who knows me knows, I'm not called to religious life or discerning it) I would consider it a daily humbling of myself to put my service and love of God first, and that my personal appearance is unimportant. The veil of this Community does not seem to interfere with its apostolate or its dedication to God, and that is what is important.

Edited May 28, 2011 by IgnatiusofLoyola

[TeresaBenedicta]

I just find it unfortunate that most conversations turn into ones about the habit or veil.

I just want to rejoice because these sisters are really neat, they have an amesome convent here in OR, and I had a great time with them.

[faithcecelia]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' timestamp='1306612778' post='2247124']
I just find it unfortunate that most conversations turn into ones about the habit or veil.

I just want to rejoice because these sisters are really neat, they have an amesome convent here in OR, and I had a great time with them.
[/quote]




Look at their faces, they are absolutely glowing - do you think they are bothered by their veils? These things are very, very low down the list of importance when choosing a community.

[she_who_is_not]

One thing I find to be particularly cool about these sisters is the fact that they were founded in 1973! There is quite a bit of attention given to the renewal communities founded in the 90's, Sisters of Life, CFR sisters, and the DSMME, for example, but these sisters were rebuilding religious life before the rubble even settled. Their prayer and example must have really paved the way for the foundation of new communities in the United States. How poignant for daughters of St. Francis, whom the Lord commanded to "rebuild his Church." What a beautiful gift.

Edited May 28, 2011 by she_who_is_not

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='she_who_is_not' timestamp='1306613459' post='2247129']
One thing I find to be particularly cool about these sisters is the fact that they were founded in 1972! There is quite a bit of attention given to the renewal communities founded in the 90's, Sisters of Life, CFR sisters, and the DSMME, for example, but these sisters were rebuilding religious life before the rubble even settled. Their prayer and example must have really paved the way for the foundation of new communities in the United States. How poignant for daughters of St. Francis, whom the Lord commanded to "rebuild his Church." What a beautiful gift.
[/quote]

I really love this about them, too!

Their chapel was avvewome- it was decorated very fransiscan-esque. It's in the old library from the house, so they have stuff on the shelves and stuff. One of the shelves was particularly neat. It had various objects- a hard hat, a smoker's pipe, pictures... and all of the items were given to the sisters in honor of people who had passed away. So each item identified that person in some way or another. And it served as a reminder to pray for those who had passed away.

They also had a few animals-- two cats and a dog. Ashley, one of the cats, followed me and Sister as we walked around the grounds.

[InPersonaChriste]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' timestamp='1306543709' post='2246927']
What is considered a "proper veil"?

Read a post above- there is symbolism in their veil.

I wouldn't be too harsh on them.
[/quote]

I never meant to be harsh on them, and I have looked at the information regarding the veil briefly. I just prefer a "full" head covering. Catherine of Siena and Mother Teresa both wore a crown of thorns under their full veil.

Hence I said I prefer it.

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='InPersonaChriste' timestamp='1306683087' post='2247399']
I never meant to be harsh on them, and I have looked at the information regarding the veil briefly. I just prefer a "full" head covering. Catherine of Siena and Mother Teresa both wore a crown of thorns under their full veil.

Hence I said I prefer it.
[/quote]

I understand.

I was just a bit frustrated (not at you, just in general). This was meant simply to share about an avvesome sister and my time going out to visit her. The fact that veils became the central talking point... just frustrated me. I know we're all super into habits and talking about the different kinds, but... Meh. I don't know. These are great sisters (and I know no one thinks any differently) and I just wish that we could talk about them without talk of their unique veils.

Again, not at you, just in general. It's occurred quite a bit in different places. Someone points out something they don't care for in an order, and then the central point of the entire thread is discussing that aspect. It's just too bad. Especially if one isn't discerning that particular order... what does it matter if you don't care for something in a different order? I don't mean to say this harshly. Just that, if it's a matter of preference, why make a point of it? Especially if it's negative?

Just my general frustrations. Perhaps exasperated because all I wanted to do was share the joy of my interactions with these sisters with everyone here.

[regina_coeli]

Franciscan and joyful-- sounds like a great summary to your visit!

[Lisa]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' timestamp='1306685023' post='2247404']
This was meant simply to share about an avvesome sister and my time going out to visit her.
[/quote]

I agree, would you like to share a little bit more about what the particular sisters you know do for their apostolate? And about their prayer life?

Thanks TB

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' timestamp='1306612778' post='2247124']
I just find it unfortunate that most conversations turn into ones about the habit or veil.

I just want to rejoice because these sisters are really neat, they have an amesome convent here in OR, and I had a great time with them.
[/quote]

I also didn't mean it as a criticism, and I don't know why the topic became the central point of discussion. It just sticks out to me is all. I've never met them and if you read what I wrote on Sr. Marie's topic, I believe that neither the habit nor the veil make the Sister. It's underneath--in the heart--that counts.

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='Lisa' timestamp='1306714406' post='2247552']
I agree, would you like to share a little bit more about what the particular sisters you know do for their apostolate? And about their prayer life?

Thanks TB
[/quote]

Well, Sr. Dorothy was/is a teacher for the local community college, doing adult education. She really loves that! I met three other sisters while I was there (although there are nine total in that convent). One of them was a grade school teacher and she was just getting back from a camp-out with her third and fourth graders... which was quite the experience, considering that it had been POURING down rain for the past two days!!

Another sister works as a nurse. And another works at a local parish. I think one stays at the convent full time to coordinate retreats and events at the convent. And two of their sisters are currently quite ill with cancer. One is in the hospital and the other can barely move around, while at the convent.

All in all, quite varied!!

You know, I'm not sure about their prayer life. I know they pray parts of the Divine Office together in community- I'd assume Morning, Evening, and Night prayer. Daily Mass, of course. And I'd also assume a holy hour. Their chapel was gorgeous! And the grounds have wonderful places for prayer as well!

This was my first time visiting a Franciscan community... There's something about their charism! I don't know. It's mysterious to me. I don't quite understand it. But you can definitely tell they're Franciscan!

[InPersonaChriste]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' timestamp='1306685023' post='2247404']
I understand.

I was just a bit frustrated (not at you, just in general). This was meant simply to share about an avvesome sister and my time going out to visit her. The fact that veils became the central talking point... just frustrated me. I know we're all super into habits and talking about the different kinds, but... Meh. I don't know. These are great sisters (and I know no one thinks any differently) and I just wish that we could talk about them without talk of their unique veils.

Again, not at you, just in general. It's occurred quite a bit in different places. Someone points out something they don't care for in an order, and then the central point of the entire thread is discussing that aspect. It's just too bad. Especially if one isn't discerning that particular order... what does it matter if you don't care for something in a different order? I don't mean to say this harshly. Just that, if it's a matter of preference, why make a point of it? Especially if it's negative?

Just my general frustrations. Perhaps exasperated because all I wanted to do was share the joy of my interactions with these sisters with everyone here.
[/quote]

Yes I totally agree... My mother even looks at the habits and says that she would prefer me not to look like that if I ever become a religious [b]NOTE: not these sisters, another order.... I cant remember which (thank the Lord because I would probably bring up another discussion)[/b]

[Chiquitunga]

new video on them! :) I thought I'd post this in this old thread rather than the new one on the Franciscans of the Eucharist, to not get them confused :like:

 

I think this is great!! I always thought their veils were not the most attractive either, but they seem to be very wonderful Sisters!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGhvaHTE56A

[DameAgnes]

These sisters are wonderful.. Very smart, very faithful women who have a unique vision to add to the church. I have met several and they were very strong women, with strong personalities. No fragile violets.

 

That said (and yes, admitting that nothing can be more shallow that to comment on habits and veils) their habits and veils are just ugly. 

 

But maybe they want it to be ugly so they know that people investigating religious life aren't doing it because they "like the pretty habit" and have romantic dreams about wearing it.

 

I know I'd never dream about wearing that.